Generative AI systems have a “staggering environmental impact,” warns expert

Generative artificial intelligence comes with a steep ecological price tag, said Anne Skeet, Senior Director of Leadership Ethics at Santa Clara University, in a recent interview.

Skeet notes that the power needed for the latest generative AI models has grown exponentially, doubling every 6 months, and the GPUs used in AI require 10-15 times more energy than regular chips. The initial training ChatGPT consumed over 185,000 gallons of water.

With smart regulatory policy and initiative, the technology can advance sustainably. But as Skeet emphasizes, addressing the ecological impact of AI is an "ethical, urgent matter" requiring immediate attention.